Quick Answer: Thule vs Smittybilt comes down to premium versus value, since both are softshell fold-out tents. The Thule Approach is lighter (about 128 lb for the M), sets up in under three minutes per Thule, and plugs into Thule’s rack ecosystem — but it costs around $2,500. The Smittybilt Overlander runs roughly $1,300 and bundles in an annex room, ladder, and rain fly, at the cost of more weight and a slower 5–10-minute pitch. Buy the Thule Approach if you want the lighter, faster, brand-backed tent; buy the Smittybilt Overlander if you want the most complete package for the least money.
Thule and Smittybilt sit at opposite ends of the softshell rooftop tent market, which is exactly why so many first-time buyers cross-shop them. Thule is the trusted rack brand selling a refined, lighter tent at a premium; Smittybilt is the budget benchmark that has put more people into the hobby than almost any other tent. Below we break them down on the things that actually matter, then tell you which one fits your rig and your budget. New to rooftop camping? Start with our best rooftop tent pillar and our soft shell vs hard shell rooftop tent guide — and make sure you’ve got a properly rated roof rack underneath.
Thule vs Smittybilt by the numbers
- Price gap is nearly 2x. The Thule Approach M carries an MSRP around $2,500 per Thule, while the Smittybilt Overlander sells for roughly $1,300 — a gap of about $1,200, enough to pay for a solid roof rack on its own.
- Weights are close. Thule lists the Approach M at about 128 lb and Smittybilt lists the Overlander at about 140 lb — both two-person lifts, with the Thule the lighter of the two by roughly 12 lb.
- Setup speed favors Thule. Thule rates the Approach for setup in under three minutes; a traditional budget softshell like the Overlander takes closer to 5–10 minutes to pitch fully with its rain fly and annex.
- Both use 600D ripstop. The Thule Approach uses a 600D polyester ripstop canopy and the Smittybilt Overlander uses heavy 600D ripstop on a steel-and-aluminum frame — the same fabric weight, so the durability gap is smaller than the price gap suggests.
- Load rating is what limits driving. Thule rates the Approach for a 600 lb static (parked) capacity, but the number that limits what you can drive with is your vehicle’s dynamic roof load — typically around 165 lb on a car or SUV; both tents fit comfortably under that on a properly rated rack.
Head to head at a glance
| Factor | Thule Approach M | Smittybilt Overlander |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Softshell fold-out | Softshell fold-out |
| Sleeps | 2–3 | 2–3 |
| Folded weight | ~128 lb | ~140 lb |
| Setup time | Under 3 min | ~5–10 min |
| Fabric | 600D polyester ripstop | 600D ripstop |
| Annex included | Sold separately | Yes, in the box |
| Static load rating | 600 lb (per Thule) | Not published |
| Price | ~$2,500 | ~$1,300 |
| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★½ |
Price & value: Smittybilt wins on dollars, Thule on polish
This is the headline. The Smittybilt Overlander undercuts the Thule Approach M by about $1,200 — and it includes an annex room, ladder, and rain fly that Thule sells separately. For a buyer who just wants to sleep off the ground for the least money, that’s a hard package to beat. Thule’s premium isn’t empty, though: you’re paying for lighter weight, a faster setup, the brand’s rack ecosystem and dealer network, and noticeably better fit and finish. If budget is the deciding factor, Smittybilt wins outright; if you’ll keep the tent for years and value refinement and support, the Thule earns its price. Edge: Smittybilt on value, Thule on quality.
Smittybilt Overlander
- Heavy 600D ripstop on a steel-and-aluminum frame.
- Annex room, telescoping ladder, and rain fly included in the box.
- About $1,200 cheaper than the Thule Approach M.
Weight & rack fit: a near tie, Thule slightly lighter
At about 128 lb the Thule Approach M is roughly 12 lb lighter than the ~140 lb Smittybilt Overlander — a small difference, but one that matters if you’re close to your vehicle’s dynamic roof limit. Both are two-person lifts, and both fit a properly rated crossbar or platform rack on most SUVs and trucks, where the dynamic ceiling is usually around 165 lb. On a small car with a low dynamic rating, the lighter Thule leaves a touch more margin. Whichever you choose, the rack matters as much as the tent — see our best roof rack guide and match the dynamic load rating to the folded weight before you buy. Edge: Thule, narrowly.
Setup speed: Thule is meaningfully faster
Thule rates the Approach for setup in under three minutes — unzip the travel cover, unfold the base on its hinge, extend the telescoping ladder, and you’re done. The Smittybilt Overlander is a more traditional budget fold-out that takes closer to 5–10 minutes once you’ve staged the rain fly and the annex. Neither comes close to a gas-strut hardshell that pops up in seconds, but at the end of a long drive into a dark campsite, the Thule’s quicker pitch is a real quality-of-life win. Edge: Thule.
Thule Approach M
- Mid-size softshell, about 128 lb, sets up in under three minutes per Thule.
- 600D polyester ripstop canopy with a 600 lb static load rating.
- Plugs into Thule's rack ecosystem and dealer network.
Build quality & support: Thule’s ecosystem advantage
Both tents use 600D ripstop fabric, so the raw materials are closer than the prices imply — but Thule’s edge is everything around the tent. The Approach clicks into the same rack ecosystem millions of drivers already own, it’s sold through a wide dealer network for easy local support and warranty service, and the fit and finish are a step above. Smittybilt is sold more directly, leans on its huge owner community for support, and bundles accessories instead of polish. If you want a tent you can service at a local shop and a brand with deep rack integration, Thule is the safer long-term bet. Edge: Thule.
Families & sizing up
If you need to sleep three to four, both brands scale up. Thule offers the Approach L (sleeps 3–4, ~150 lb, ~$2,800), while Smittybilt offers the Overlander XL (sleeps 3–4, ~$1,500). The same trade-off carries over: the Thule is lighter, faster, and more refined; the Smittybilt is roughly half the price with an included annex. Families on a budget who want maximum floor space per dollar will find the Overlander XL hard to argue with. For the full field of cheap options, see our best budget rooftop tent roundup; for every Thule size broken down, see our best Thule rooftop tent guide.
The verdict: which should you buy?
- Buy the Thule Approach if you want the lighter, faster-setup softshell, value Thule’s rack ecosystem and dealer support, and are happy to pay around $2,500 for the refinement.
- Buy the Smittybilt Overlander if you want the most complete package — annex, ladder, and rain fly included — for the least money, and you don’t mind a heavier tent and a slower pitch to save roughly $1,200.
There’s no wrong answer here, only the right match for your budget and how often you camp. Weekend warriors who want to get into the hobby cheaply lean Smittybilt; buyers who prize a lighter, quicker, brand-backed tent lean Thule. Whichever you pick, confirm your roof rack’s dynamic load rating handles the folded weight, and tap any “Check price” button for the current number before you buy.